Twelve alumni from the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) and Rhonda A. Hawks, president of the Hawks Foundation, were recognized Tuesday, April 1, at the W.H. and Dorothy Thompson Alumni Center.

The annual Alumni Awards for Excellence in Public Service and the Hubert Locke Award for Distinguished Service recognize the best in integrity, stewardship, volunteerism, leadership and commitment to social justice in the public and community service arena. Read more.

U.S. Under Secretary of Education to Visit UNO April 8

U.S. Under Secretary of Education Sara Martinez Tucker will visit two campuses of the University of Nebraska this week as part of her college listening tour, President James B. Milliken announced March 31. A campus visit to UNO is set for Tuesday, April 8.

"We are pleased that Under Secretary Tucker will visit Nebraska and the university," Milliken said. "This is an excellent opportunity for the senior Bush administration official with responsibility for higher education to learn about what the University of Nebraska and others are doing in our state to make higher education more accessible, affordable and accountable." Read more.

NU President to Address Faculty Senate April 9

The UNO Faculty Senate will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 9, in the Milo Bail Student Center Dodge Rooms. University of Nebraska President James Milliken will address the senate.

President Milliken's presentation will begin at 2 p.m. The meeting will begin immediately after the presentation. All interested may attend. For more information, contact Senate President Scott Tarry at 554.3190 or Senate Coordinator Sue Bishop at 554.3598.

Retirement Planning Education Series Continues Today

Human Resources will continue its retirement planning education series with two presentations on "Planning Ahead for Retirement" this month.

A TIAA-CREF representative will lead today's, April 4, discussion. A Faculty/Staff Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) representative will present at the Friday, April 11, series. Both presentations start at 10 a.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center U Mon Hon Room. This month's seminars focus on retirement planning needs and questions of employees who are planning to retire within the next 10-15 years. All interested faculty and staff are invited to attend.

The seminars are scheduled monthly from September through April. For more information, contact Esther Scarpello, benefits manager, at 554.3660.

History Department Welcomes First Amendment Scholar April 14

The UNO Department of History will host the 10th annual Winchell Lecture at 7 p.m. Monday, April 14.

This year's lecturer is Floyd Abrams of New York City. Abrams is considered one of the nation's foremost First Amendment attorneys and scholars. He has appeared and argued in a number of historically significant Supreme Court cases involving the First Amendment, including New York Times v. U.S. (the Pentagon Papers litigation) and Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart. Read more.

Applicants Sought for IS&P Global Diplomat Program

UNO International Studies and Programs (IS&P) will take applications from UNO students through Monday, April 21, for the IS&P Global Diplomat Program.

Starting in August, students selected as Global Diplomats will assist IS&P in a variety of ways through May or August 2009. Some possible activities include promoting campus internationalization efforts, giving campus tours, attending and assisting at social events, making airport pickups and offering settling-in assistance and shopping help to international guests. Fifteen students will be selected for the program.

Criteria for selection will include:
- Academic excellence in at least two full-time semesters earned at UNO by May 2008 and maintenance of a 2.5 GPA;
- Full-time student status in the 2008/2009 school year;
- Strong leadership and communications skills and strong interest in service to UNO and the international student population; and
- Experience in cross-cultural settings.

Selected students will wear UNO IS&P Global Diplomats polo shirts to events and will receive a $100 for the fall 2008 term and $100 for the spring 2009 term. Applications may be picked up at the front desk in 241 Arts and Sciences Hall. Application must be returned by April 21.

For more information, contact Jennifer Stahl, international student advisor, at 554.2293 or jstahl@unomaha.edu.

UNO 2008 Faculty and Student Honors Convocations

April 7-11 is Honors Week - a campus celebration of outstanding students and faculty. The week spotlights three university-wide events - the Honors Program Senior Theses Symposia, the Faculty Honors Convocation and the Student Honors Convocation.

The Honors Program Senior Theses Symposia takes place Tuesday and Wednesday, April 8-9, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom (MBSC). If attending, R.S.V.P. by today, April 4, to 554.2696.

The Faculty Honors Convocation features the recipients of the university's outstanding teaching, research and creative activity, mentoring, service-learning and distinguished professorship awards. The Faculty Convocation will be held Thursday, April 10, at 7 a.m. in the MBSC Ballroom. The campus community is invited to attend. No reservations are necessary.

The Student Honors Convocation recognizes outstanding undergraduate and graduate students with the graduate scholarships, undergraduate major honorees, deans, vice chancellor, service-learning and outstanding student-athlete awards. The Student Convocation begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 11, in the Strauss Performing Arts Center followed by a reception in the MBSC. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend in support of these outstanding students. No reservations are necessary.

"The Faculty and Student Honors Convocations are opportunities for all campus units to celebrate together the extraordinary accomplishments of faculty and students throughout the university. Faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends of the university are also encouraged to participate in the many college, department and organization events which showcase and celebrate faculty, student and staff achievements," said Deborah Smith-Howell, assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and dean of Graduate Studies.

For more information on the Faculty and Student Honors Convocations contact Dr. Smith-Howell at 554.2262 or dsmith-howell@mail.unomaha.edu. For more information regarding the Student Honors Symposium, contact Rosalie Saltzman, director of the UNO Honors Program, 554.2598.

Submissions Sought for UNO Calendar of Events

Want to increase attendance at a campus activity? Try promoting it with the online UNO Calendar of Events.

Among other events, the calendar (http://events.unomaha.edu/) lists the opening reception for the spring 2008 BFA Thesis Exhibition. The event is planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the UNO Art Gallery.

"Please make submitting items to the calendar a regular part of your work routine," said Beverly Newsam, public relations technician in University Relations and Calendar of Events administrator. "The calendar can be a useful tool for the campus and community, if it's utilized."

Calendar items must be submitted electronically through the Calendar of Events Web site (http://events.unomaha.edu/) and include a contact name, phone number and e-mail address. Categories for submissions include athletics, exhibitions, films, lectures, performances and miscellaneous.

To submit an item to the UNO Calendar of Events, follow the instructions below. All submissions are edited by University Relations for grammar and spelling before they are posted. Usually, events show up on the calendar within 24 hours of their submission.

(Note: The process may vary slightly, depending on the Internet browser used.)

3. Enter "post" in the "Username" box and "event" in the "Password" box.

4. Click on the "Update Event" button to access a submission form.

5. Fill out the form for the event you are submitting.

6. Click the "Submit event for approval" button when done.

7. Fill out another form as before if submitting more events.

8. Click "Done" when finished submitting events.

9. To log off, click "Post." Then, click "Logoff" and "OK."

"It only takes a few minutes to submit events to the calendar, but it is well worth it for everyone," Newsam said. "Those with questions should call University Relations or stop by 108 Eppley Administration Building."

For more information, call 554.2129.

Borders to Offer Educator Discount through April 8

Borders has extended a 25 percent educator discount on select store merchandise to UNO employees through Tuesday, April 8.

To obtain the discount, individuals must present their university ID. In conjunction with the bi-annual Educator Appreciation Event, all Omaha Borders locations will host a reception today, April 4, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The Faculty/Staff Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) provides short-term counseling, assessment and referral services for faculty, staff, their spouses or significant others, and family members. FEAP offices are located in 206 Eppley Administration Building.

The April schedule is as follows:

- April 7, 18, 23 and 28
8 a.m. to noon

- April 3, 10, 15, 25 and 30
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Appointments are free and available by calling 554.3120 (UNO) or 559.5175 (UNMC).

Participants Sought for HPER Research Study

Adults 45 years or older with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, arthritis, fibromyalgia, hypertension, obesity and/or prolonged immobilization of limbs are invited to participate in a research study at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Building, Exercise Physiology Lab.

Participants will be asked to make two visits to Exercise physiology lab at HPER in a period of four months. Those who take part will be paid $15 for the first visit and $25 for the second time towards compensation for time and travel expenses.

Study participants will be informed (at no cost) of their serum cholesterol levels, aerobic capacity, and static and dynamic balance measures. They will also be asked to answer questionnaires about depression and quality of life.

- Theresa Barron-McKeagney, director of the School of Social Work, was mentioned in the March issue of Strictly Business about her recent appointment to the Iowa West Organization.

- Ed Leahy, director of the Financial Stability Partnership - a partnership between UNO and United Way - was interviewed by KETV.com March 26 about spending tax rebates.

- An Associated Press article about the Second Life course taught by School of Communication Assistant Professor Lynnette Leonard was published in the March 12 issue of the Alliance Times-Herald (Alliance, Neb.), the March 13 issue of the Hastings Tribune (Hastings, Neb.) and the March 14 issue of the Norfolk Daily News (Norfolk, Neb.).

- The Omaha World-Herald featured interviews with Louis Pol, College of Business Administration dean, and William Conley, the newly named vice chancellor for Business and Research, in its March 28 issue.

- Paul Sather, director of the Service Learning Academy, was interviewed by the Omaha World-Herald March 28 about the 2008 Unsung Heroes Awards.

If you are a member of the UNO community and have been interviewed by the media - local, state, regional, national or international - we want to know about it. Send an e-mail with the particulars to enotes@mail.unomaha.edu. Please include a contact name and phone number. For more information, call 554.2243.

In Print

If you've authored or edited a book, article or other text that's been published recently, we want to know about it. Send an e-mail with the particulars to enotes@mail.unomaha.edu. Please include a contact name and phone number. For more information, call 554.2243.

On Stage

Chamber Orchestra to Perform Final Concert of the Season April 20
UNO's Chamber Orchestra will perform their final concert of the season on Sunday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.

Works on the program are inspired by Spain, including Rossini's Overture to The Barber of Seville and De Falla's El amor brujo. Christine Beard, professor of flute, will join the orchestra in a performance of Gates' Suite Comique, and Wendy Eaton, mezzo-soprano, will join the orchestra for Da Falla's work. Christopher Stanichar, director of orchestral activities, will conduct the program.

For tickets and more information, call 554.3427.

Mike Vax Big Band Concert at UNO Set for April 30
The UNO Symphonic UNO will host one of the nation's premier jazz groups, the Mike Vax Big Band, on Wednesday, April 30. While on campus, members of the band will present a free workshop open to all UNO students.

"This is a rare opportunity to hear and see just a top flight big band that is still actively touring and recording," said Pete Madsen, coordinator of UNO Jazz Studies. "Anyone who is a fan of jazz, really of music, should consider coming out to the concert." Read more.

If you are a member of the UNO community and are involved in an upcoming performance, we want to know about it. Send an e-mail with the particulars to enotes@mail.unomaha.edu. Please include a contact name and phone number.

On Exhibit

National Poetry Month Observed at the Criss Library
April is national poetry month. To celebrate, Criss Library is encouraging all student, faculty and staff to share their own poetry or favorite poems that speak to them.

A set of blank panels will be put up in the center of the library for everyone to post their selected poems for the month. All are invited to post, read and enjoy.

For more information, contact Dani Herzog, promotions and marketing specialist, at 554.3213.

If you are a member of the UNO community and are involved in an exhibit, we want to know about it! Send an e-mail with the particulars to enotes@mail.unomaha.edu. Please include a contact name and phone number. For more information, call 554.2243.